Gone Medieval cover image

Gone Medieval

How To Live Like a Viking

Sep 20, 2024
Join Dr. Eleanor Barraclough, an expert in Viking history, as she sheds light on the fascinating lives of ordinary people from the Viking Age. Explore how archaeological artifacts like love letters and everyday tools unveil the intimate details of Viking life. Discover the overlooked roles of women and enslaved individuals in shaping history. Hear captivating tales of random discoveries, including treasured finds in midden heaps, that reveal the emotional landscape of a vibrant society. This deep dive brings to life the human connections that transcended time.
44:41

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Everyday Viking life is revealed through artifacts like combs and pots, providing deeper insights beyond tales of kings and battles.
  • Advancements in archaeological science, including DNA analysis, have transformed understanding of Viking relations, migration, and societal complexities.

Deep dives

The Importance of Everyday Viking Artifacts

Artifacts from the Viking era provide valuable insight into the lives of ordinary people, beyond the tales of kings and battles. Items such as combs, textiles, and tools reveal the day-to-day experiences of the Viking community, allowing a glimpse into their social practices and domestic life. Unlike grand historical accounts that focus on elite figures, these artifacts capture the essence of humanity in the Viking Age, showing how individuals lived, worked, and interacted within their environments. This randomness in survival of everyday items highlights the unpredictable nature of history, giving personality and depth to the narrative of the Vikings.

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